BACOLOD City – Religious activities in cities and towns in Negros Occidental, excluding Bacolod City, will resume Monday, May 16 with strict observance and enforcement of social distancing and safety protocols.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson gave the green light to the resumption of church Masses and services as part of Executive Order (EO) 20-24, which formalizes the extension of the general community quarantine (GCQ) in the province until May 31.
“There will be Masses and as I understand from Bishop (Patricio) Buzon, they intend to have more Masses, considering the limited number of parishioners that can come in during a single Mass,” Lacson said in a press conference before he signed the EO on Friday afternoon.
Buzon heads the Diocese of Bacolod, which covers parishes not only in Bacolod but also in some towns and cities in the southern and northern part of Negros Occidental.
Section 3 states that religious organizations shall only be allowed to admit attendees of up to only 50 percent of the building capacity.
“There shall be no physical contact and everyone shall wear a face mask at all times,” it added.
Churches and religious establishments are also required to disinfect the premises after every service.
Moreover, religious organizations shall inform the public of the schedule of Masses or services, and are encouraged to continue the online streaming of these Masses or services.
Meanwhile, EO 20-24 reiterates the closure of borders, ports, and airports in Negros Occidental until May 31, as stated in EO 20-15.
This is stated in Section 2 providing safeguards against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) under the heightened patrol of seaports and borders, along with the practice of social distancing, 14-day mandatory quarantine for all persons entering the province, mandatory use of face mask, and intra-border checkpoints.
“The borders between Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental will remain closed,” Lacson said. (PNA)
